November Newsletter

GOVERNMENT
VEHICLE THEFTS INCREASE
DURING COLD WEATHER
POLICE WARN CAR OWNERS
OF DANGERS OF ‘PUFFERS’
Vehicle theft is a major problem in our community, and
every driver is a potential victim. Protect yourself by being
smart and informed. By taking a few simple precautions, you
can drastically reduce the likelihood of having your vehicle
stolen.
SAY NO TO ‘PUFFERS’
Never leave
your vehicle
running while
unattended
even for a
quick stop or
to warm up
your car
during the
winter season. Not only is it illegal to leave your car running
unattended, it creates an easy opportunity for thieves to steal
your car.
KEYS
Be smart with your car keys. Carelessness with vehicle keys
is the cause of more than 50 percent of all automobile
thefts. An unlocked vehicle is easy to get into and get away
with. It’s even easier when the keys are left in the vehicle.
Don’t keep the spare set hidden in your vehicle.
Experienced thieves learn where spare keys are most likely
to be hidden.
PARKING
Most cars are stolen while they are left unattended. Protect
your car by exercising caution as you park. When selecting a
spot, look for areas that are well lit, depriving potential thieves
of the cover of darkness. When possible, park in attended lots,
or in areas of high foot traffic; a car that’s surrounded by
witnesses is less likely to be stolen. Always double-check to
make sure that all windows have been closed and all doors
properly locked. If you have a home garage, use it.
AVOID LEAVING ANY
VALUABLES IN SIGHT
Do not leave
accessories, valuables or
personal documents in
your vehicle. Insurance
cards, registration and
title can provide
personal information to
criminals for other
uses.
ALARMS AND
SECURITY
An audible car alarm is a simple yet effective way to ward off
most crooks. If you do utilize an alarm system, bear in mind
that the warning decals that come with it may be just as
effective a deterrent. Most of the criminals that would flee at
the sound of an alarm will pass your vehicle by completely if
they know about the alarm beforehand.
For more information, please call the Greenwood Village
Police Department at 303-773-2525. GV
WHY DO POLICE CARS STAY RUNNING WHILE OFFICERS ARE NOT IN THEIR VEHICLES?
At the Greenwood Village Police Department, there is a reason why you may find a police vehicle running without a police officer occupying
the vehicle while they are on a patrol or during a traffic stop.
Every police vehicle has a significant amount of
electronic equipment inside - laptop, dash cameras,
and radios that use large amounts of power. Every time
the vehicle is shut down, an officer has to turn off all
the equipment and run the risk of draining the vehicle’s
battery power. When the officer gets back inside
his/her vehicle, they must wait minutes to reboot their
equipment before they can proceed. In an emergency
situation, several minutes can delay our response time
to critical calls for service. In addition, K-9 vehicles are
kept running to manage the climate and ensure the
safety of the K-9s.
For more information, please call the Police
Department at 303-773-2525.
NOVEMBER 2019 | GV NEWSLETTER PG. 9